Best Gear for Different Types of Hikes: Desert, Mountain, and Winter (Because Not Every Hike Is a Walk in the Park)
You’re standing in front of your gear closet (or your meticulously organized gear corner, if you’re fancy) and staring at the chaos. In one corner, your sand-dusted desert boots. In the other, your ice-crusted crampons. You’re trying to figure out how on earth you went from a casual day hiker to someone who owns enough gear to supply an REI store. But hey, different hikes require different gear, right?
Whether you’re trekking through the bone-dry deserts of Utah, scrambling up a rocky mountain trail, or braving subzero temperatures on a winter expedition, having the right gear is key to making sure your adventure is more "epic" and less "emergency rescue." So, let’s break down the best gear for different types of hikes—because not all hikes are created equal, and your gear shouldn’t be either.
Desert Hikes: Where the Sun Wants to Roast You Like a Marshmallow
Hiking in the desert is basically like walking into an oven and asking, “How can I make this harder?” Between the searing heat, intense sun exposure, and lack of shade (unless you count cacti, which are notoriously terrible for shelter), desert hikes require specific gear to keep you cool, protected, and not resembling a burnt tortilla.
Layers: Keep Cool While Avoiding Full BBQ Mode
You’d think the key to desert hiking is wearing as little as possible, but that’s a rookie mistake. Instead, you want lightweight, breathable layers that cover your skin and protect you from the sun.
Recommended Gear: Patagonia Capilene Cool Hoodie This bad boy is lightweight, moisture-wicking, and provides UPF protection to keep you from turning into a human lobster. Plus, the hood gives you extra coverage, so you don’t end up with a sunburned neck that screams, "I forgot sunscreen."
Footwear: Sand + Sweat = Recipe for Blisters
When it comes to footwear for desert hikes, it’s all about breathability and protection. Sand will find its way into your boots, no matter how hard you try, but a good pair of hiking shoes can minimize the damage.
Recommended Gear: Altra Lone Peak 6 With their wide toe box and breathable design, these shoes give your feet room to expand in the heat without sacrificing comfort. And the best part? Their quick-dry mesh won’t trap sweat, which is the key to avoiding blisters that make you curse the sun gods.
Shelter: Shade Is King
In the desert, there’s a good chance you’ll need to create your own shade. A lightweight, portable shelter is essential if you’re planning to camp or take long breaks without melting into a puddle of despair.
Recommended Gear: NEMO Dragonfly 1P Tent This ultralight tent is perfect for desert adventures. It’s breathable, easy to set up, and provides enough shelter to keep you from frying like an egg on the sand.
Mountain Hikes: Where You Climb, Scramble, and Pretend You’re Not Scared of Heights
Mountain hiking is all about the views, baby. But to get those views, you’ll need to slog up steep trails, cross rocky terrain, and battle unpredictable weather. You’ll also need gear that can handle everything from scorching sun to sudden snowstorms. If hiking in the desert feels like a battle with heat, mountain hiking is a fight against the elements themselves—rocks, wind, rain, and, sometimes, surprise mountain goats.
Layers: Be Ready for Sun, Snow, and a Surprise Thunderstorm
When hiking in the mountains, the weather can shift from “pleasant stroll” to “batten down the hatches” in minutes. The solution? Layers, layers, layers.
Recommended Gear: Outdoor Research Foray Jacket This waterproof, breathable shell will keep you dry when the inevitable mountain storm rolls in. It’s lightweight enough to toss in your pack and tough enough to handle whatever the trail throws at you.
Footwear: Because Rolling Your Ankle on a Rocky Scramble Is Not the Move
Mountain terrain is unforgiving on your feet and ankles, so you’ll want sturdy, supportive boots to keep you upright on rocky scrambles and uneven trails.
Recommended Gear: Salewa Mountain Trainer Lite Mid GTX These boots offer the perfect balance of stiffness, support, and grip to keep you feeling like a mountain goat (instead of a clumsy human) as you navigate rugged terrain. Plus, they’re waterproof, which is a must for those unpredictable mountain rainstorms.
Shelter: Lightweight, Durable, and Wind-Resistant
When you’re camping at elevation, your tent needs to be able to withstand high winds and chilly nights, while still being light enough to haul up a mountain.
Recommended Gear: MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2 This tent is lightweight, sturdy, and perfect for the unpredictable weather you’ll face in the mountains. It has excellent ventilation for hot days and enough durability to stand up to gusty winds at elevation.
Winter Hikes: Where You Question Why You Left Your Warm House
Winter hiking isn’t for the faint of heart—or for people who enjoy feeling their toes. But if you’re properly prepared, winter hikes can be stunning, rewarding, and surprisingly fun (if you like a little masochism). You’ll need gear that can handle freezing temps, icy trails, and snow that’s out to ruin your day.
Layers: Staying Warm Without Turning into a Sweaty Icicle
When it comes to winter hiking, your layering game needs to be on point. You want to stay warm, but also avoid sweating too much (because that sweat will turn you into a human popsicle).
Recommended Gear: Arc'teryx Atom LT Hoody This insulated mid-layer is lightweight, breathable, and keeps you warm without turning you into a furnace. It’s perfect for high-output winter activities where you need warmth, but also need to avoid overheating.
Footwear: Traction Is Everything
Snow and ice are no joke. You’ll need boots that can handle subzero temps and provide solid traction on icy terrain. Oh, and throw in some crampons while you’re at it.
Recommended Gear: Salomon Quest 4D 3 GTX These boots are insulated, waterproof, and provide excellent ankle support for navigating icy trails. Pair them with microspikes or crampons, and you’re good to go.
Bonus Gear: Kahtoola MICROspikes Slip these on over your boots, and you’ll feel like a winter ninja, gripping icy trails like a pro. They’re lightweight, packable, and an absolute must for winter adventures.
Shelter: Four-Season Fortresses Only
If you’re planning on camping in the winter, you’ll need a four-season tent that can handle snow and high winds without collapsing on you in the middle of the night.
Recommended Gear: Hilleberg Nammatj 2 This four-season tent is basically a fortress. It’s designed to handle heavy snow, brutal winds, and whatever else winter throws at you. You’ll stay warm, dry, and (most importantly) safe, even in the worst conditions.
Why Adaptability and Versatility Matter
No matter where you’re hiking—whether it's the scorching desert, the rugged mountains, or the freezing winter wilderness—your gear needs to be adaptable and versatile. Conditions can change faster than you can Google “weather forecast,” so having gear that works in multiple environments is essential.
A jacket that can go from windbreaker to rain shell? Check. Boots that can handle both wet and dry conditions? Absolutely. The key is to pack for unpredictability, because if there’s one thing nature loves, it’s throwing curveballs when you least expect them.
Final Thoughts: Tailor Your Gear, Tailor Your Adventure
Desert, mountain, or winter—each type of hike presents its own set of challenges. But with the right gear, you’ll be ready to tackle them all without turning into a dehydrated prune, a frozen popsicle, or a mountain casualty.
So, next time you’re packing for an adventure, take a moment to think about the environment and tailor your gear to match. After all, a well-prepared hiker is a happy hiker—who can also brag about how they successfully conquered the elements in style.
Happy hiking, and may your gear always be lighter than your trail snacks.